My problem is that the XBox seemingly needs to always be online itself. That makes implementing always-online DRM a mere triviality for the publishers. I think the DRM will be uncommon at first, due to the bad press they will receive, but four years down the road? You'll hear them say "But your console is always-online, anyway. Why do you care?"

The fact that PS4 and WiiU work offline means that always-online protected games will be obvious and detract from potential sales to the userbase. With 720 being always-online, it's almost as if MS is a bell-hop holding the door open for publishers to implement it without impunity. I think this is a pretty significant difference. This DRM technology has evolved faster than the dialogue about it. Will games be clearly labeled that implement this kind of thing? Will they need to be labeled on an always-online console?

One thing is very apparent on almost every forum. XBox supporters were very vocal about Microsoft's special arrangement with EA until this Always-Online debacle broke to the internet. The Sim City launch was a travesty of epic proportions. There's been a bit of an uneasy hush about the whole thing as of late. The gaming press has been unusually mum on the matter as well. IMHO, gamers have every right to be a little upset about these rumors.

Services such as Netflix, Amazon Instant Video are streaming services and require an internet connection at all times. Since they are designed to stream content, it's not unusual to say that an internet connection is required.

Most of the always online discussion we're hearing has to do with services like that. I think the next Xbox, like the PS4 will function offline. They are just designed from scratch to be connected.

Services such as Netflix, Amazon Instant Video are streaming services and require an internet connection at all times. Since they are designed to stream content, it's not unusual to say that an internet connection is required.

Most of the always online discussion we're hearing has to do with services like that. I think the next Xbox, like the PS4 will function offline. They are just designed from scratch to be connected.

There is a difference between "always online" and "requires to be online to use x-y-z services".

Oh ok didn't know that. I must've missed that in the conference unless it was an article later published. Yea that makes total sense...really it has less to do with the console makers and more to do with technology advancements...now they have the ability to put more services in the background and like PC, developers have more control over their content.

I guess we're going to see more hubs and centrals like we already do on PC (Steam, Origin etc.) and if not yet then definitely next-next-gen.

Either way we're going to see more DRM and that's just the way it is. One thing I'm glad about is that developers got the message that we don't want online passes. I tried very hard to get over it but couldn't and have missed many good games due to this but I'm glad because they need to get it.

Next gen games could be online only, block used games, etc. There is nothing stopping a publisher from doing that with a game. Just like theres nothing stopping them from NOT participating in the online passes to make money from secondhand purchasers, and many dont in fact participate. Who does? Sony. Online passes standard across all their games...this odd "they will force DRM for everyone and block all used games" rumor started, and now its somehow fact that MS are the greedy/DRM used game killers in the industry. lol If MS does indeed do this then Sony will be doing it too. Neither company would if the other one wasn't. Neither would be that dumb.

Oh ok that makes sense...since when did games have online saves? Unless they're online profiles which is in multiplayer games. Weird. Does Live have a cloud system?

No, your misunderstanding (although yes you can save to the cloud on the 360).
If he "signs into EA servers" (i.e. in online) and creates a new game, he cant play that game save unless he is signed into the EA servers.
The game save is local.

Basically if you start offline, you can continue offline.
If you start online, you must be online to play.

Next gen games could be online only, block used games, etc. There is nothing stopping a publisher from doing that with a game. Just like theres nothing stopping them from NOT participating in the online passes to make money from secondhand purchasers, and many dont in fact participate. Who does? Sony. Online passes standard across all their games...this odd "they will force DRM for everyone and block all used games" rumor started, and now its somehow fact that MS are the greedy/DRM used game killers in the industry. lol If MS does indeed do this then Sony will be doing it too. Neither company would if the other one wasn't. Neither would be that dumb.

I don't think these consoles will be online only.

Originally Posted by mynd

No, your misunderstanding (although yes you can save to the cloud on the 360).
If he "signs into EA servers" (i.e. in online) and creates a new game, he cant play that game save unless he is signed into the EA servers.
The game save is local.

Basically if you start offline, you can continue offline.
If you start online, you must be online to play.

Pretty sure its the same result for us, not online, cant play the game, and who's to say they all wont do it this way, once you online, you are "hooked". If you stay offline you are fine.
Personally I think this is what they will do.
In other words if you console is never hooked up to the net, then you can play offline.
Soon as your online, your game become online only.

But that will make people complain. I think they will either just keep the game playable either way or online only.

They could always give incentives to people who will connect online. They did that with launch copies or something along those lines.

That's exactly why it won't be online only. They will definitely sneak something in there but probably nothing more than what we've seen on PC...maybe a little more organized as it's a closed box but nothing radical.

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